Chapter 753: Burning This Sutra
Master Shangyi's gaze remained motionless, which made Zhang Chengzu's heart beat fast. He could hardly bear it and told him everything.
Several young men who were traveling with him immediately stepped forward to interrupt.
"It was really a coincidence."
"Master Shangyi, what is the origin of this fox book, and why did your expression suddenly change?"
"Yeah, why did this fox writing suddenly spread out? What was it writing?"
Master Shangyi glanced over, but the effect of staring at one person was completely different from staring at a group of people. Zhang Chengzu took the opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief, obviously escaping from the old monk's intimidation.
Master Shangyi looked somewhat helpless and could only explain, "This is the cultivation method of a fox spirit. When I translated this book, a fox spirit appeared and called me a thief who stole the Dharma."
And a few young people only cared about part of it.
"The fox fairy's cultivation method?"
"Master, can I take a look?"
Master Shangyi stood up, looked directly at these ignorant young people, and said, "My dear believers, the fox spirit has revealed this sutra to warn me that this book is not of good origin. Please forgive me for not obeying your orders."
He picked up the translated fox book, handed it to the monk who was attending him, and said, "Burn this scripture and don't pass it on to others."
The monk took the paper and went to the side room.
Master Shangyi's meditation hall is filled with scriptures, and the most important thing is to guard against open flames, so there are no candles in the meditation hall.
The monk took the fox book and left. How could these young people just sit there and watch? They hurried forward to stop him.
Some even opened their mouths and said, "You black-hearted monk, how dare you covet our scriptures?"
"You translated the fox book and learned the fox fairy cultivation method and have memorized it, but you don't allow us to read it. What's the reason?"
"This is our fox book!"
The monk was furious when he heard this and said, "How dare you slander Master Shangyi? Master Shangyi is well versed in Buddhism, so why would he need a fox spirit to practice his Dharma? And why would he covet your scriptures?"
"That's hard to say. Just because you say we don't need it, does that mean we don't need it? This is the scripture we brought with us. Why can't we read the translation?"
Three young men blocked the monk and tried to snatch the scriptures from his hands. Two women were arguing with each other beside Zhang Chengzu.
That monk also practiced cultivation, and if they really came to blows, a few ordinary people would be no match for him. However, using the Dharma to deceive others is not allowed, and putting Master Shangyi in a situation where he would be criticized is even more inappropriate.
He simply raised his hands and stepped back to prevent them from grabbing the scriptures, and turned to look at Master Shangyi.
Master Shangyi had never expected such a joke. He was a famous monk, well-versed in sutras and Vinaya, and respected everywhere. He had requested to read the Dharma Mirror Sutra at Jingta Temple, which had been very welcoming. Yet, he was being harassed like this over such a small matter.
The monk sighed softly, clasped his hands together, chanted the Buddha's name, and said, "Stop."
Master Shangyi continued to look at Zhang Chengzu, realizing that the cause of the matter was all tied to him, and reminded him, "This fox book was not obtained legitimately. I think Young Master Zhang knows this."
"I am a Buddhist practitioner, taking refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I have no intention of being disrespectful, nor will I covet the methods of cultivation of fox spirits."
"The principles of cultivation are always the same. Even if you have mastered the cultivation methods of the fox spirits, they are still stolen. You've already embarked on a wrong path from the beginning. Going further will only lead to disastrous consequences. Why not stop before it's too late and return to the right path?"
Zhang Chengzu was filled with regret. He had regretted it since they had spoken carelessly. He had always wanted to seek the truth from a young age and respected monks and Taoists. However, these people around him did not have any reverence in their hearts.
Master Shangyi had persuaded him, but before he could even open his mouth, the girl beside him swiftly retorted, "You're a respected master, so why are you spouting words like 'improper' and 'theft'? This book is ours. You translated it, so how could you read it and not allow us to? How could you have known we'd stray from the right path?"
"And you're still saying lies that will bring about bad consequences. Aren't you cursing us?"
Master Shangyi didn't listen to them. He just looked at Zhang Chengzu and said, "Young Master Zhang, please think carefully about this."
Then he looked at the monks who were attending him and said, "Give it to them and ask them to leave."
The monk looked at the young men in front of him, stuffed the translated scriptures into their arms, and pushed them out, saying, "Go! You are not welcome in Jingta Temple!"
"We don't want to come yet!"
Several young men walked out, but Zhang Chengzu seemed to have his shoes filled with lead and could not walk.
"Mage..."
"Zhang Chengzu, hurry up and leave. Why are you nagging him?"
Several young men urged him on, and the monks came to drive him away again. Zhang Chengzu bowed to Master Shangyi in shame, and rushed out as if escaping.
The monks drove them out of the meditation hall and instructed the monk in charge of reception to drive them all out quickly.
The attendant monk returned to report to Master Shangyi, and then asked, "Master, the fox book is still enshrined in the Sutra Library. Should we return it as well?"
Master Shangyi shook his head and said, "I've only translated one chapter of this fox book on Qi training and half on spiritual concentration. Even if they take it away, it would violate the taboos of the fox spirits, but there's still room for maneuver. If the fox book is returned, and they use the translated scriptures to practice and read the entire book, there will be no room for maneuver."
"Master, your intentions are good. If it were up to me, you should have returned the Fox Book as well and let them fend for themselves. Let them know the consequences of slandering the Master."
"The three poisons are causing harm, and the six thieves are causing trouble, making it difficult to surrender. You have seen it all, so why bother with them?"
"These people are really annoying."
Shao Huzheng and Miao Huhui both made such comments. They watched what happened and couldn't help but feel disgusted with these ignorant young people.
They had followed these young men, so they followed them.
Miao Huhui asked, "Hu Zheng, is it okay if the Fox Book is leaked?"
"How can a thief who steals the Dharma go unpunished? Besides, how can a human being practice the Dharma that I, a fox, cultivate casually?"
Gong Mengbi blinked, and Shao Huzheng and Miao Huhui laughed.
The reason why Fox Wen wrote the book, in addition to confidentiality considerations, was also to protect those who accidentally obtained the Fox Book.
Humans are different, so foxes are between them; the living and the dead have different paths, so foxes are between them; immortals and monsters have different paths, so foxes are between them.
The fox is among the characters, similar to a human but not human. It seems that it is a method that humans can practice, but it is not really that easy to practice.
Miao Huhui asked again, "Can Fox Zheng enter and leave Jingta Temple at will without retrieving the Fox Book?"
Gong Mengbi said, "Don't worry. Master Shangyi knows the seriousness of the matter and won't touch the Fox Book again. Let's wait and see who else will jump out."
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